INDIANAPOLIS – In the final contest of the 2024 campaign, the IU Indianapolis men's soccer team gave up an early goal that ended up being the game winner and lone goal of the match in a 1-0 defeat to rival Purdue Fort Wayne Tuesday (Nov. 5) afternoon.

"I think the game describes perfectly how our season went," head coach Sid van Druenen expressed following the match. "The inability to really create big chances and put the ball away has been an issue for us all year and it was again today.

"We defended well and didn't give anything away. [They had] one shot [on goal] and one goal and we had 11 shots but didn't really create much."

Purdue Fort Wayne (7-6-2, 4-4-1) couldn't have asked for a better start, scoring just over a minute into the game in a must-win match for the side. Understanding the situation, the visitors came out with a lot of energy from the opening whistle, and they were rewarded early for their efforts. Abe Arellano began the play on the near side of the field but then made a pinpoint pass to Marco Valencia who made a good turn to get to the top of the box. As the Jaguar defense collapsed, Valencia played the ball to the Felipe Medina who made no mistake with the finish, finding the side netting with a powerful strike to beat Mason Taylor in goal.

"When you concede early you just try to stick to the plan," added van Druenen. "Kudos to them for coming out ready when we didn't."

IU Indy (5-9-3, 2-6-1) was again solid defensively, limiting the visitors to nine total shots and just the one on goal. The defenders received high praise from their coach for their efforts not just today but the entire season. "First off, they are good 1v1 defenders, every single one of them. They are good in the air. They understand the shape, the press and they are really together in that.

"The one thing our group has done all year long is work," continued van Druenen. "They do what it takes and that's all defending is, committing to the task and doing it."

Offensively, the Jags ended with more shots than the 'Dons, but failed to test the keeper, with all three of Nic Diana's saves coming easily. The shutout was the sophomore's sixth of the season.

While Purdue Fort Wayne looks forward to the postseason, IU Indy will begin preparing for the 2025 season. "We have to better on the ball and in transition moments so we can defend less and hurt the opponents," concluded van Druenen. "I challenged the boys and we are going to develop the ones we have and try our best to add some pieces we were missing all year."